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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 963
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WHEREAS, The heritage of the vaquero remains vital in South |
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Texas, and the central role this colorful and iconic figure has |
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played in the history of the Lone Star State is being celebrated |
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with Vaquero Day on June 30, 2018; and |
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WHEREAS, Renowned for their horsemanship and |
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stock-handling skills, vaqueros were crucial to the advance of |
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Spanish ranching into Texas; from the mid-18th century onward, |
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vaqueros figured significantly in the development of large, |
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open-range cattle ranches in the region between the Nueces River |
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and the Rio Grande, traces of which can still be seen on the land |
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in the form of fortified stone blockhouses, ranch outbuildings, |
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chapels and cemeteries, hand-dug wells, and the man-made |
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reservoirs that made it possible to assemble enormous herds; and |
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WHEREAS, With the expansion of the Texas cattle industry in |
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the 19th century, the vaquero's traditions shaped ranching |
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practices all across the state, and much of the vaquero's |
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equipment--his chaps, bandana, sombrero, lasso, spurs, and |
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saddle--became standard gear for all Texas cowboys, while other |
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elements of his craft, such as mounted herding and roping |
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techniques, also influenced early Anglo American practices; |
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eventually, these vaquero-inspired methods of working cattle |
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spread across the High Plains and the western part of the United |
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States; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the proud culture of the vaquero is being |
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kept alive by such notable organizations as the Vaqueros of South |
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Texas, whose members work to preserve the vaquero tradition for |
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future generations; and |
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WHEREAS, Through a deep appreciation of the land and |
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through skills honed over the course of centuries, the vaquero |
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has contributed immeasurably to the history, culture, and |
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economy of South Texas and to the rich ranching heritage of the |
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Lone Star State and the American West; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th |
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Legislature, hereby recognize June 30, 2018, as Vaquero Day and |
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commend the members of Vaqueros of South Texas for their fidelity |
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to the generations of vaqueros who came before them. |
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Zaffirini |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on May 29, 2017. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |